KOCHI: With the completion of construction of 1,74,720 toilets in the rural areas by Suchithwa mission, the state is all set to be declared ‘Open Defecation free’ (ODF) during the 60th formation day function in the capital on Tuesday.
However, neither Suchithwa mission nor the state government have done anything to provide water connections to the toilets! If the government has its way, the person using the toilet would be responsible for arranging the water for it!
“No water connection has been given in the toilets. This, after a hefty amount was spent on the project. How are people supposed to use the toilet? Should they bring water from the river or somewhere else? This exercise is mere eyewash to lure votes,” said a top government official on the condition of anonymity.
Though some toilets were constructed with support from Jalanidhi, a project of Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, they, too, lack any water connectivity.
“The state experienced rainfall deficit and would soon be declared drought-hit. Getting sufficient drinking water would be difficult then. In such a scenario, how can they reserve water for toilets? There is not even a tank to store water nearby,” said the official, adding, “For the government, it is a game to reach the top of the list. They are not bothered about the people’s concerns.”
Moreover, public acceptance of the Eco-san toilet, a waterless dry flush toilet system constructed by Suchithwa mission in Idukki and Kasargode on experimental basis to deal with water scarcity, iss still uncertain.
Suchitwa Mission Project Consultant Jyothish Chandran admitted that they lacked funds to provide water in toilets.
“We are concentrating on constructing toilets. It is true that providing water connections to toilets is a big issue, as there are areas in Palakkad and other districts that depend on the river for water and would face problems, if the river dries up in summer,” he said.
When contacted, Executive Director of the project, K Vasuki also admitted that arranging water was a challenging task.
“The local bodies have several projects to provide water connections, which can be used for the purpose. However, most of such projects are executed in areas, where accessibility to water is ensured,” he said.
“The official announcement does not mark the conclusion of the project, we will keep tracking it to improve it,” he assured.